FP 1-19
12/2003
Abstract
Terrorism: What Should We Do Now?
Prepared by: Sue E. Williams, Ph.D. Renée A. Daugherty, Ph.D.
Family Policy & Leadership Extension Specialist / Assistant Professor
Development Specialist 104 HES, Oklahoma State University
333 HES, Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK 74078
Stillwater, OK 74078 (405) 744-6231
(405) 744-6282 radaugh@okstate.edu
sarahk@okstate.edu
Doble Research Associates, Inc. (2003). Terrorism: What Should We Do Now? Dayton, Ohio: National Issues Forums
Institute.
IMPLICATIONS FOR COOPERATIVE National Issues Forums (NIF) bring together citizens
EXTENSION. The policy debate over how to best to deliberate and make choices about challenging
respond to acts of terrorism and national security has social and political issues. In the past, NIF has
been raging since September 11, 2001. Although this addressed such issues as money and politics, race
debate can seem very far removed to the every day and ethnic tensions, the economy, education, health
lives of Oklahomans, it does have an impact on our care and crime. Throughout the nation, civic,
lives in both the short and long term. The Doble service, and religious organizations as well as
Research Associates report shares perspectives on libraries, high schools, community colleges and
terrorism and national security from people across universities have convened thousands of forums in
our country who participated in hundreds of public hundreds of communities.
forums. Several of these forums were conducted in
our state with Oklahoma perspectives shared in the Sample
report. Voices represented in this report will be Doble Research Associates took a sample of the
helpful in understanding and serving people in hundreds of NIF forums that took place in 2002 and
Oklahoma who are increasingly concerned about 2003. Almost 2000 forum participants (some from
terrorism and national security. Oklahoma) were included in this report.
In addition the discussion guide used to conduct Findings
these forums is available to conduct future forums in Following are statements that summarize the results
communities across Oklahoma. The Oklahoma of the Doble Research Associates analysis:
Partnership for Public Deliberation has prepared
moderators and recorders to assist in conducting Deep Concerns—Forum participants were deeply
forums on this and other challenging issues. To learn concerned about what they saw to be a fundamental
more about hosting a forum contact a member of the lack of understanding. People in the Middle East and
OPPD, Sue Williams (405-744-6282) or Renée Muslims throughout the world are poorly informed
Daugherty (405-744-6231). about the U.S. Instead of understanding who
Americans are and what we value, Muslims views
Overview stem from our movies and popular culture. On the
This analyzes what happened in National Issues other hand the American people, including policy
Forums on terrorism that took place in 40 states. makers, are poorly informed about Afghanistan,
These forums were conducted by trained moderators Arab Countries, the Middle East and Islam.
and recorders and used an issue guide, Terrorism: Moreover, instead of informing us, the news media
What Should We Do Now? exacerbates the problem. Such misunderstanding
(continue on reverse)
Terrorism: What Should We Do Now? (continued)
makes it not only easy to misread intentions and Restraint: The citizens who participated in these
actions but also to stereotype other people and forums called for a carefully calibrated military
countries. response that minimizes civilian casualties. In short,
the use of force should never make the problem
Expressed Values---Key values were evident as worse.
forum participants discussed the issue of terrorism.
The following values and related actions emerged as Prudence: Participants said the U.S. must be far-
forum participants deliberated the terrorism issue: sighted and develop a strategy to combat terrorism in
both the long and short term.
Courage: The citizen participants said the U.S.
must defend itself and do whatever is necessary to The Public Voice---The citizens who participated in
fight terrorism, even if that involves real sacrifice on the forums were willing to be inconvenienced to
the part of ordinary citizens. enhance domestic security. Participants also
generally did not want to trade off civil liberties for
Determination: Saying that the war on terrorism is increased security and they opposed profiling Arab-
likely to go on and on, forum participants said they Americans and Muslims. They indicated that
were prepared for the long haul. domestic security must be enhanced without
compromising the rights, values and principles we
Effectiveness: Participants said U.S. policy in the fight to defend.
war against terrorism should be driven by questions
about what will be most effective, not about what is People said we must get at the problem behind the
justified in the abstract. problem----the deep hatred of the U.S. in the Arab
World and the Middle East. The threat of terrorism
Education: Americans must become better will remain until we understand and address the
educated about the Middle East and Islam, problem’s roots.
particularly about the cause of so much Arab and
Muslim hatred toward this country. Many also felt
that policymakers are poorly informed, resulting in
naïve and ill-advised foreign policy decisions.